White hawthorn flowers bloom in Nam Nghep village

In the midst of that vast space, clusters of hawthorn flowers sway in the wind, gentle yet resilient, bringing a beauty that is both fragile and strong like the people of this highland region.

Not only outstanding for its poetic beauty, Nam Nghep is also located at the foot of Ta Chi Nhu - a 2,979m high mountain, one of the most attractive destinations in the Northwest. This is also the ideal time for nature lovers and explorers to begin their journey to conquer Ta Chi Nhu.

Not only a beautiful flower, hawthorn flower is also a witness of time, of changes in the Northwest mountains and forests. Hawthorn trees can live for hundreds of years, through many seasons of cold winds and frost, and still bloom steadily every spring. Therefore, the people here consider hawthorn a symbol of resilience, of enduring love like their own life in the great forest.

The lonely hawthorn tree in Nam Nghiep this year did not bloom much but still attracted many tourists.

Many people wonder why they must come to Nam Nghep to see hawthorn flowers, when this flower is also found in many other regions? But only when you set foot here, can you truly feel its special beauty. Nowhere else do hawthorn flowers grow in forests, covering a large area like in Nam Nghep. Nowhere else can you stand among hundreds of years old hawthorn trees, quietly listen to the wind whispering through the leaves and enjoy the strange peace.

Standing in the middle of the ancient hawthorn forest, one feels as if one is lost in a fairy tale. The old, rough tree trunks stretch high, supporting clusters of pure white flowers, like small clouds stuck in the green forest. Hawthorn flowers are not as brilliant as peach blossoms, not as dreamy as plum blossoms, but have a pure, pristine beauty, symbolizing the endurance of nature and people of the Northwest.

Each ivory white petal embraces a tiny yellow pistil, forming small clusters of flowers layer upon layer, covering the entire tree branches, turning the hawthorn forests into a vast white ocean.

Beautiful scenery like lost in fairy tale space

“Many people say that hawthorn flowers are simply flowers, but for the people here, they are also a part of life. Hawthorn fruit – also known as Chinese apple – is a gift from the mountains and forests, providing income for generations of Mong people, helping children grow up with the flower and fruit seasons. When the flowers bloom, people look forward to a bumper crop, and then in the fall, the golden hawthorn fruits follow traders to the lowlands. Therefore, people are also attached to the tree as a good pillar in the family...”, Mr. Khang A Cha, the owner of a large garden with ancient hawthorn trees, told us.

When the morning sun shines, the whole forest is lit up in a shimmering white, reflecting the gentle golden light of the sun. The wind blows, the petals sway gently, creating a soft dance in the air. The light, fresh scent of flowers, permeating every gust of wind, blends with the smell of moist soil after a spring rain, making people feel more relaxed.

Small houses nestled under the hawthorn trees, kitchen smoke rising in the early morning sunlight. Children in colorful dresses running on the winding paths among the flower forests, creating a peaceful picture that touches the heart.

After the journey of exploring the flower forest and conquering the mountain peak, visitors can relax in the warm water of the nearby hot mineral spring, letting their souls be soothed by nature and the peaceful atmosphere of the highlands. Perhaps, the beauty of the hawthorn flower lies not only in its gentle white color, but also in its story - a resilient flower in the wind and frost, a symbol of pure love and the strong bond of the people here with the mountains and forests of the Northwest. Coming to Nam Nghep in the hawthorn flower season, we not only admire the flowers, but also listen to the story of the land, of the people, of the love songs in the middle of the forest.

According to local resident Lo Van Xuyen, this year’s hawthorn flower season is not as brilliant because of some unseasonal rains that caused the flowers to wither and fall early. However, for tourists, it is still a very beautiful flower season.

It is a pity that because the festival has just entered its third year, local management is not really good, so there is still a chaotic situation about prices, especially the motorbike taxi team that takes visitors to the village. If it were more organized, this would definitely be a beautiful destination during the spring days in the Northwest highlands.

TRAN VAN - MAI AN